IF this game had been a down to the wire game where Pop's decision making was a huge factor...I probably would give him more credit.
But this was a blowout against a Denver team who had already gotten what they wanted...
This was a game where the players just rolled.
Pop never had to make crucial decisions down the stretch...but I'd be willing to bet he's going to have to in Denver...and I hope he makes better decisions down the stretch than he did in game 1 if that happens.
I love POP. He has confidence in himself and his decisions, right or wrong and the team respects him and is willing to go along. I know they must wonder sometimes at his rotations but you never hear a word from the team members against Pop's coaching decisisons or system. That says a lot.
As does his record over the years--not just one occasional game.
Some of our experts ought to take a lesson from the team.
Notice Whottt doesn't do it.
Heaven forbid.
All of you are losers!(j/k)
The problem with putting all the blame, or all the credit on one person is it negates the whole Spurs winning concept: They are a team. They sometimes lose as a team, and they WIN as a team.
BUT, if you want to look at Specifics of what individuals did to help turn around an embarrassing loss on Sunday:
Pop starts Barry over Manu. The kind of Ballsy move some Pop-haters were calling for. As for Pop not being able to win close games, well, if you coach well enough from the start, you don't have to!
Tim back in groove. Although still not 100%, it's pretty obvious Tim is back, both from his play AND his leadership ability (like when he huddled everyone at the start of the 3rd when the Nuggets were on a roll, and told everyone "Move the ball, move the ball").
Tony Parker: Let's not forget about the guy who took MOST of the media blame for Sunday's loss, even though he actually played pretty good in the first game (about same shooting % and same assists, but less turnovers and less minutes in the second).
I could go on and on about every player who stepped up, but that's the point:
The TEAM lost on Sunday. The TEAM won last night.
If the TEAM can stay together and play like that every night, then this series is over in 5.
It's funny how everyone can use the same argument and change it depending on which side they are. I said Pop should be blamed for not making anything happen in the 4th of game 1 when the players couldn't buy a basket and now the Popsuckers are saying this win is on him, for making changes. Now, If TD shot 30% in game 1 and 70% in game 2 the win is on Pop???? (of course, according to the Popsuckers game 1 lost was on the players...)
C'mon man! I said Pop ed up in game 1 and still feel the same way, and I really don't think he did anything special (but benching Manu, the only starter that played decently in game 1). I say the players played better (of course the HAD to) and we would have still won this game if Hedo and Charlie Ward were here.
So, Pop had nothing to do with it then?
If coaches don't matter, then how come the T-Wolves aren't in the Playoffs?
If it's just about the Players, how could the same TEAM that lost on Sunday, win by 28 last night? Everyone played a roll in that, including Pop.
Teams don't just coach themselves.
You're right, Pop never had to make crucial decisions down the stretch...because he made a crucial decision before the game that put us in that position. Who's idea do you think the starting lineup was? That worked ok, didn't it? It worked so damn well, that he could've napped through the second half. Yet you somehow still find a way to use his success as a tool to avoid giving him credit where it's due. Brilliant.
by the way, this:
was ing hilarious.I agree...the Pop haters need to step up and give props...they know who they are!
Oh yeah, I know I'm arriving late to this thread, but
Spurminator wins.
Well played!
I'm not saying he had nothing to do with the win, I'm saying he is not f'cking perfect, I'm saying he MAKES MISTAKES and that he MADE A MISTAKE in the 4th of game 1.
It's not about loving or hating the guy, it's about realizing he is not a God. Of course he is a good coach, but let me ask you this:
Do you really think there is nothing he could have done during those 10 minutes when we went 0 for 17??
Pop is who he is. He is very organized, great teacher of....team defense, discipline, playing hard, staying focussed, not making excuses...great eye for talent, etc. One of the best in the league, no doubt. But, not perfect, often inflexible, and he had a bad game Sunday. What's the difference between saying that and saying Manu Ginobili is a great basketball player, but makes some mistakes at times? You can criticize without jumping on and off a bandwagon, no?
Strong post, MadDog.All of you are losers!
The problem with putting all the blame, or all the credit on one person is it negates the whole Spurs winning concept: They are a team. They sometimes lose as a team, and they WIN as a team.
BUT, if you want to look at Specifics of what individuals did to help turn around an embarrassing loss on Sunday:
Pop starts Barry over Manu. The kind of Ballsy move some Pop-haters were calling for. As for Pop not being able to win close games, well, if you coach well enough from the start, you don't have to!
Tim back in groove. Although still not 100%, it's pretty obvious Tim is back, both from his play AND his leadership ability (like when he huddled everyone at the start of the 3rd when the Nuggets were on a roll, and told everyone "Move the ball, move the ball").
Tony Parker: Let's not forget about the guy who took MOST of the media blame for Sunday's loss, even though he actually played pretty good in the first game (about same shooting % and same assists, but less turnovers and less minutes in the second).
I could go on and on about every player who stepped up, but that's the point:
The TEAM lost on Sunday. The TEAM won last night.
If the TEAM can stay together and play like that every night, then this series is over in 5.
Are we talking about the same Hedo and Charlie Ward? As in Hedo "<HITA" Turkoglu and Charlie "my jumper's as good as Rodman's" Ward?
Those guys were the kiss of death (at least playing for the Spurs). They would've had a tough time beating the Harlandale Middle School Girls squad.
Thank you, that is exactly my point.
tekdragon, I was being sarcastic.
I'd like to add to Spurm's post and mention Pop particularly calling for more "made" 3 point plays. Calling more of those plays allowed Duncan to recieve more "made" inside plays.
TPark, what do you want me to do? Nominate Pop for COY for splitting with a 7 seed at home? BS. It's a negative, not a postive.
And guess what? Denver has a very real physical advantage on their home court, in addition to the mental and technical advantage all teams have on their home court...It's(choking that first very winnable game) just short of a total season ending disaster. It still might be...I happen to think it will be.
You want me to all of sudden forget Pop went the final 5 minutes without a subs ution change in a winnable game in which we ended up choking away the HCA we'd played all season for?
Guess what? Barry is shooting better than anyone on the team in the final 5 minutes of the game...no matter how crappy he has played in the previous 43 minutes. He's better in the 4th period. It's inexcusable that he didn't get to play and if it happens again in that type of game, we will lose again, like we have all season long. And Big Dogg is here to hit shots...if Barry's not an alternative then why isn't Robinson, if only for one play?
Sorry, not happy, not satisfied, don't believe. And I said winning this game would not make a difference...
What, if we had lost you would consider that satisfactory? You must if you think splitting is exceeding or even meeting expectations or deserving of props. My lack of faith in Pop is just that...a lack of faith in his offensive decision making...he has more control over wins and losses with this team than any other person...and if he leaves proven talent on the bench when we need points, and we lose due to an inability to score, he has to be held accountable.
Last edited by whottt; 04-28-2005 at 02:38 PM.
Meanwhile, I'm going to the store to pick myself up a jar of that good, meat-based dressing.
^^^ lol@ Solid D, I love that commercial too.
But we DIDN'T lose... that's the whole point, whottt.
I'm surprised, I thought you of all people would be happy with Pop making a ballsy change to the starting line-up, a change that worked.
I'm sure Pop would love to go back in time and put in someone else besides Tim and Tony to win Game 1. But if he did that and he lost, wouldn't you still be in'?
If Pop "must be held accountable" for losses, then he also deserves credit for wins, esp. 28 pt wins against a Nuggets team that was supposed to be prepared for the "wounded animal" Spurs.
Pop > Karl, no doubt. Whether he deserves Coach of the year, remains to be seen. He needs to beat a VanGundy or D'Antoni and either another VanGundy or Larry Brown before he gets true credit.
vanvannen,
Yeah, but I can never pass an opportunity to bash Hedo and Ward. Especially Hedo. When we got him I was so excited, but he turned out to be crap. One of my alltime biggest disappointments. He showed so much promise with Sacramento.
Charlie Ward just sucked. He was so bad, he made me miss Uwe Blab.
At least he wasn't Anthony 'Trillion' Carter?
Sorry Tek, my mistake.
BTW, totally agree.
I saw in Game 2 it was best to start Barry then Manu, Manu is slash a starter/bench. That is AWESOME!!!!!! You don't know where he is coming from and I know other teams sre looking for him like a shark. WHERE IS HE WHERE DID HE GO!!!!!!! hahaha...... GINOOOOOOBLI!!!!!! . It was a good move by Pop to call a timeout about 3 minutes into the 3rd. The Spurs were slacking a little and I am glad he saw that real quick.
Game 1 was on both the players and Pop....for not having the right combo for the situation and players for just stinking up the 4th quarter.
LMAO
This is the post of the week for sure.
Mad Dog,So, Pop had nothing to do with it then?
If Pop didn't have anything to do with our play in the fourth in game 1, he didn't have anything to do with our win last night.
The Poplovers want it both ways, but it doesn't work like that.
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